Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

State of North Carolina; Pitt (WA); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rehabilitation Counselor (NS) within the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services delivers vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The role includes assessments, job development, job placement, and coordination with employers to align employment goals with client skills and interests.

Operating within the Blind Services Division and the Greenville District Office, the counselor

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or related field.
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) preferred.
• Experience with developing individualized employment plans and case management.

Responsibilities

• Explain the scope of vocational rehabilitation services to consumers and referral sources.
• Complete intake interviews and collect diagnostic information.
• Develop Individualized Employment Plans aligned with consumer goals.
• Coordinate and authorize rehabilitation services to support progress toward employment.
• Provide job development and placement services.
• Conduct outreach to eye-care providers and community partners.
• Track progress and adjust service plans toward employment goals.
• Maintain accurate case documentation to ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Case management

IEP development

Employer outreach

Assessment interviews

Job placement

Documentation

Education

M.S./M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling

M.S./M.A. in related field

CRC Certification

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Blind Services

Job Classification Title

Rehabilitation Counselor (NS)

Position Number

60043102

Grade

NC10

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired by supporting their efforts to overcome barriers to employment through structured, person‑centered rehabilitation planning. This role delivers a planned program of services that includes assessments, job development, job placement, and direct communication with employers to align employment goals with each individual’s skills, interests, and capabilities.

The counselor coordinates and authorizes services in accordance with eligibility criteria and program procedures, ensuring appropriate support throughout the employment process. The position also conducts outreach to referral sources and community partners to increase awareness of services and strengthen referral pathways. Operating within the Blind Services Division and the Greenville District Office, this role supports statewide vocational rehabilitation outcomes through direct service, case management, and community engagement.

Key Duties Include:

• Explain the scope and range of vocational rehabilitation services to potential consumers and referral sources, including eye‑care providers and county agencies.

• Complete application and preliminary assessment activities, including interviews and the collection of diagnostic study information.

• Determine consumer eligibility for services and lead the development of Individualized Employment Plans aligned with consumer abilities, interests, and employment goals.

• Coordinate and authorize rehabilitation services that support consumer progress toward identified employment outcomes.

• Provide or coordinate job development and job placement services in accordance with each consumer’s employment objective.

• Conduct outreach to eye‑care providers and community partners to improve referral sources and increase appropriate referrals.

• Execute case‑finding and service‑planning activities in accordance with federal eligibility criteria and agency procedures.

• Engage directly with employers to identify job opportunities and assist consumers in securing appropriate employment.

• Track consumer progress and adjust service plans as needed to support continued movement toward employment goals.

• Maintain accurate case documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal vocational rehabilitation standards.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $43,267.00 - $75,718.00

Recruitment Range: $43,267.00 - $46,525.00

A trainee is an applicant who has not fully met the education requirements for the position. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly when the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Delivered accurate assessment outcomes by conducting structured intake interviews, collecting diagnostic information, and organizing case findings to inform individualized rehabilitation planning.

• Produced detailed Individualized Employment Plans by applying intermediate case‑management proficiency to align consumer strengths, interests, and vocational goals with documented service strategies.

• Managed rehabilitation service implementation by authorizing supports, matching services to eligibility requirements, and tracking progress toward employment objectives through defined procedures.

• Increased referral engagement by conducting targeted outreach to eye‑care providers and community agencies, resulting in strengthened referral pathways and improved awareness of available services.

• Advanced job development and placement results by engaging employers, identifying appropriate employment opportunities, and guiding consumers toward sustainable, goal‑aligned work outcomes.

This Position Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option

Physical Requirements:

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• The use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

About the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf‑blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre‑tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit‑Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

Master’s degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

A current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.